G-Plan
- By the author of this web site The G-Plan Revolution
Welcome to our G-Plan page. If you love G-Plan, you have come to the right place...
G-Plan is the ultimate retro furniture. The G-Plan brand, launched in the 50s, defined modern furniture in the 50s, 60s and 70s. In those days most people used 'G-Plan' to describe modern furniture in the way we still use 'Hoover' to describe a vacuum cleaner. G-Plan was not cheap furniture, but G-Plan was the brand most people wanted to own.
After many years of neglect a new generation is rediscovering G-Plan for the first time. Vintage G-Plan is now hip. People are discovering that furniture from the 50s and 60s, particularly G-Plan, was as well made as antique furniture and looks stunning in a modern home.
Which G-Plan to choose?
Modern G-Plan collectors have their eyes on particular ranges. G-Plan teak furniture is fashionable. The sideboard, above right, is part of the Fresco range, which G-Plan introduced in 1966. It is finished in teak, which has a distinctive grain pattern. The influence for the design came from Scandinavia. Fresco was designed by V B Wilkins.
The most famous designer who worked for G-Plan was Ib Kofod-Larsen. He designed the G-Plan Danish range in the early to mid-sixties. Kofod-Larsen's designs were the response to growing imports of Scandinavian, and particularly Danish furniture, from the late 50s. G-Plan Danish was an attempt to capture back some of this market share.
If you are looking for G-Plan Danish, the furniture is printed with a gold embossed stamp bearing Kofod-Larsen's signature and the words 'G-Plan Danish design'. There is a tendency amongst eBay sellers to describe pieces as by Kofod-Larsen, when they were not. Kofod-Larsen pieces are comparatively rare, as they were significantly more expensive at the time than other G-Plan furniture.
Books about G-Plan
Can I find a book about G-Plan?
Yes, the G-Plan Revolution is a reference work on G-Plan furniture, by the author of Retrowow and a former furniture manufacturer with over fifty years' experience in the industry. It is accompanied by two facsimile G-Plan brochures, which will be a wonderful source for any collector of G-Plan.
Your comments on G-Plan furniture
i have a five peice bedroom suite to sell all have a g plan stamp in them but also in a gold emblem what looks like the letters e or l k or b? do you know these initials. the suite consists of large robe with central mirror, mans fitted robe, oblong dressing table with stool and two 6 drawere chest of drawers, these were bought in 1969. infact its 6 peices with the stool, all in good condition and im looking for £300.00 for the lot. to be collected is this a steal. june knott
I have a retro G-Plan Dining Table finished in teak, six chairs and two dressers that are joined by an overhead cupboard, 1960's. Would the black leather actually be real leather on the chairs?
I am having to dispose of the whole suite as I am down-sizing.
Very sad but there is just not enough room in my new bungalow.
Jannette
I think we may have the g-plan reform 3-pce suite. Is there a picture of this anywhere to check. Also, what would the frame be made from, as we want to decide if it is worth restoring, as it will need new springs, fillings, covers, legs!
Thanks
hartley
I have a re-covered black velour g plan swivel rock chair with rosewood legs. It approx 1960-1965. It is in good condition and |I have tried to sell in local paper but dont get any response. I have checked e bay and there are only 3 for sale currently. I really need the space and I need to get rid of it. Any reasoanable offers would be accepted. brenda mckendrick
I a min Glastonbury at the moment and my aunty just passed away and thinking about taking her bedroom but the only problem is there is no wardrobe ,and i would like to match a 5 door wardrobe if possible,wonder if you can help me.thank you look forward to hearing from you,Regards Mary Mary
My son has been left some g-plan furniture.The sideboard is long, with polished brass feet, bi-fold doors at either side,(one needing a small repair to the slider), and drawers in the centre, the top one being a cutlery drawer.They have hinged brass handles.
The dining table, when fully extended on its eight black legs,( with brass feet matching the sideboard), is an attractive ovoid shape.
The wood appears to be teak, and both pieces have the gold G-plan stamp.The sideboard also has a stamp with manufacturers info including a year, possibly 1960.The surfaces are a little faded but otherwise in good condition.
There are four woven-seat dining chairs in excellent condition, but these have no visible maker's mark that we can find, so I'm not certain whether these match the set.
I am trying to identify the range of furniture.I have seen identical items elsewhere on the net, but haven't come across the name.Can you help?
M Winfield
Use steelwool #000 wetted with teak oil, and simply rub very lightly in the direction of the grain until the scratch is gone.
Apply teak oil to a soft cloth and rub the entire piece of furniture to get the same finish all over.
Polish the entire piece with a dry cloth.
hope this helps james good luck.
lynn
hi i am turning my flat back to the 60s/70s era so far its going well.i wondered if anyone had any items for sale from those eras preferably cheap lol and local to leeds.in return i have for sale 2 seater mustard buttoned vinyl sofa,a 60s vanity unit complete with sink full surround unit with glass sliding doors and shelfs and sink slots into it.cheers.my email addy is lynnsnakekeeper@hotmail.co.uk. lynn
Hi, what is the best way to remove scratches & marks off my teak G Plan furniture? James
Hi, Sorry it's hard to say from the description. The Gold label was used on G-Plan in the 50s and 60s. Later, from mid to late sixties they used a red label which was stuck onto the furniture. I hope this helps. Retrowow
I got a wardrobbe and dressing table of e.bay.It is old but very stylish i am 47, anyway i noticed on the left hand drawer on the dressing table had a g.plan gold stamp,is this of any significance at all on the item age is it valuble are you able to help,thankyou look forwoard to hearing from you.
yours faithfully
H.Denoon
Heather
I have G Plan 3 mirror long dressing table, centre shelf - two sides, one two drawer side, one small cabinet side...has had custom glass top since bought in 1068/9 - at furniture store in Dorchester, Dorset. It has trademark oval one piece 'legs' each end. Immaculate condition.
Also wardrobe...simple, two doors...g-planesque..bought at same time, and chest of drawers, five drawers with five inch
straight legs.
Please advise value. I will be selling.
irene freeman
We bought G-Plan furniture in the 1950's when we married.
Always very well made,we had a sideboard with a glass front,
a 3-piece suite,then later on the Fresco units,which we still have. They are still as good as new.
Jean
Jean Singleton
Hi, have just bought a g plan chest of drawers with handles which are horizontal and oblong but slightly tapered at end end. This matches my Mum's wardrobe with the same handles which are situated vertically on the wardrobe. I think both pieces were bought around 1967. Does anyone know which style they are please? Deborah Wood
Hi Doug,
In response to your comment below, there is a strong demand for G-Plan especially teak G-Plan. Have a look on eBay. You will see pieces selling for more than £100. Some conventional auctions will take it, I guess they are more interested in Victoriana, which is comparatively less fashionable now.
Retrowow
I have been unable to sell a late 70's G-plan fresco dressing table with mirror,in good condition, for the past year or more.Valuers/auctioneers in this part of North Norfolk say there is absolutely no demand for retro teak furniture and I may as well dump it.Can this be true as it is, sentiment apart,still to my mind a splendid piece of beautifully styled and rich coloured teak bedroom furniture. Simply too large to fit into our bungalow.
Doug
Doug Crane
I have a dining suite with 4 chairs. The table is 137cm long and extends to 188cm with the leaf inserted (you pull either side of the top to slide out ti insert the leaf). It is 117cm wide.
It is teak on the top but the underframe and legs are ebonised. There is a brass cup at the end of the tapered leg. Each chair is slat backed and has a "bitter chocolate" velour seat.
Under the table on each section is a stamp impressed 105 with a 1 next to it.
I have searched the web and have not found anything like it.Any ideas to its value please?
Carol
We have a whole bedroom suite of G plan fresco. Do you know an interested collector please??
Charlotte
Charlotte Banks
"I have inherited my parents G-plan dining set with 6 chairs, welsh dresser, corner unit with show case and bookcase, continental headboard, dressing table and stool circa 1955-57. Is there anywhere in particular we should be trying to sell these items and have you an estimated price range. Many thanks. Steph" Stephanie Kaufman
Hi Steph, eBay is the best place to sell G-Plan. Look for similar items to get an idea of price, but bear in mind condition is very important. Retrowow
"Hi there! how do you recognise then an Ib Kofod-Larsen in the G-plan range from the others. Did they have a distinctive stamp? thanks" Raquel
"would like to refinish polish coffee table left it out side it got wet and has now gone grey on top ideas please" cdavid
I don't think the market for G-Plan is sufficiently mature for some pieces to be worth significantly more than others, except perhaps the Ib Kofod-Larsen designs, which 'Samantha' isn't. If you really like the piece, then restore it for your own use and don't worry too much about the value. Retrowow
"Hi there! I have the same problem as Nicola, we found (can you believe it!) a G-plan 3 piece bentwood suite (Samantha design I do believe it might be called) dumped unceremoniously by the roadside, enquiries led us to understand that the widow to whom they belonged had passed and the new owners had no need for it. It is in the most beautiful style and would imagine it is really comfortable as we have stripped the cushions for cleaning and have the suite bases in storage for the moment. We are keen to restore it fully and pass it on to someone who has the space to fully appreciate incredible curved 3-seater sofa and its perfectly matching armchairs. I have not been able to trace a single listing on the web incl ebay about the possible value of the suite and though it bears the G-plan branding I can't find a reference to the range at all. Are you able to advise at all please?" Lisa
Hi Lisa, The value of these suites depends on condition and how much someone else wants it. I have found that the most reliable way to value furniture is find a similar piece in eBay completed listings. A G-Plan 'Tulip' suite recently sold on eBay for £122 - see G-Plan 'Tulip'
Many thanks for any help you can give Nicola p.s. I have looked on ebay and cannot find an exact match on the dining table etc" Nicola
"Hi, I am a loss trying to find out the name of my parents G-plan dining suite. It is a large mahogany table -which extends. The chairs are cushioned with a velour dark beige and brown 'zig zag diamond pattern. There are two carvers and four regular chairs. They have a slatted back. They also bought a rectangular coffee table , nest of tables and corner crystal display cabinets and two drinks cabinets. They are all mahogany. My parents are looking to sell some of the suite, so I would be grateful if anyone had any info, or would know anywhere near East Grinstead that may sell/buy retro Gplan?
"We purchased a G-Plan table, six chairs, sideboard and drinks cupboard around 1981. The table and chairs are now with my daughter and we have kept the rest. One of the dining room chairs has a horizontal split in a back leg (near the seat) and all need re-caning and re-seating. Unfortunately I can't remember the range name to try to replace the broken chair - can you help? The sideboard is two tone, lighter wood with a distinctive grain for the most part with dark wood vertical handles. The table is also light with dark legs and the chairs are dark with cane backs. If it helps there is a printed number on the back of the sideboard - large 22 and a smaller 2682. Thanks for any help you can give." Rosemary Stevens
Hi Rosemary, the sideboard sounds like Fresco, which was G-Plan's most popular range. It was finished in teak with distinctively sculptured handles. I'm not sure about the chairs with cane backs, though. Retrowow
"my grandfather has a late sixties round extendable table four chairs and i think the seven foot sideboard all in rosewood all are spotless and wants rid of them any idea of value" Simon Shaw
Hi Simon, G-Plan did a Danish style sideboard in rosewood veneer, but I don't think it was 7 feet. These may be by a more expensive maker than G-Plan: either Scandinavian, or by Younger, or Archie Shine. The value will be quite high. From £250 to £2000 for the sideboard depending on the maker. The table and chairs will be worth a similar amount. My recommendation is to look through eBay completed listings to find something similar to get and idea of the price. Retrowow
"We have a g-plan sideboard, oak wood with splayed legs done in black, purchased 57/58. This sideboard was designed to have a matching hutch place on the top, alas we didn't purchase one at the time. Now retired and would like to make a hutch for our sideboard, but I can't find a picture of one. Can you assist by directing me to a publication which would show a picture of this matching hutch. Many thanks. J. Siner." Jon A. Siner
"I have recently per chest two G-Plan brown leather armchairs. The retailer said they were 1950s. They have small wooden stool like feet around 14cm off the ground which point outwards. Were you sit is fabric. There's nine leather buttons on the front of them. I was wondering how much they were worth if i was to sell them at a auction or even EBay. Can u help me?" Nick Parker
Hi, The best way to value furniture is to have a look at completed listings on eBay to find something similar. Do they have a G-Plan label or stamp? Retrowow
"I have the original Scroll and Anchor G-Plan settee which was purchased in October 1967 from G-Plan's shop in Kilburn. It has the original dralon covering. I understand there were only 3 settees of this model made, ours was the Bronze dralon, there was also the gold dralon and moquette version. It is roughly 12ft long plus the end corner scroll which is 6ft deep. We also have a G-Plan dressing table and free standing matching 3 door wardrobe, which is flat packed. Because our settee takes up a lot of room we are having to consider selling it as our present living room is too small to take the full length of the settee. If I put it on E-Bay how much do you think our settee would be worth now being as it is 42 years old. Also our dressing table and wardrobe which needs attention to the paintwork. " Mrs J Evans
Hi, It is difficult to tell with sofas. Recently a G-Plan corner unit sold for £90, but another sofa only sold for £10. It all depends on condition. There is also a very good looking G-Plan Saddle suite on a Buy-it-Now for £250. Retrowow
"Hi, My mom and I were just looking at her G-Plan bedroom set that she brought from Scotland that was purchased in 1962. Even though it's been across the sea, and moved many times it's still in great condition. We were just wondering about the value of it. She has a dressing table and mirror, and an armoire. The dressing table has 3 middle drawers and 2 cabinets, and the armoire has 2 bottom drawers and 2 shelves behind double doors. Thanks for any help. " Alison Watters
Hi Alison, I usually find the best way to value G-Plan is to see what similar pieces sell for on eBay. There is a lively market for G-Plan on eBay and it is the best place to buy and sell. At a guess I'd say the dressing table and wardrobe would be worth £50 to £100 each. Retrowow
"Fascinating article, thanks. I'm a little surprised, having searched completed listings, at how low the prices for G Plan tables are. Specifically, the teak extending dining table with 2 inverted 'T' shaped legs. Is there a tendency for these to be faked? Are there a lot of repro ones about? Hence the low prices for these?" Paddy
I think that there was quite a lot of G-Plan about in the 60s and 70s and demand has not caught up with supply. All depends on condition though. There is a large amount of G-Plan furniture around that would need considerable restoration work. Retrowow
"I have a teak sideboard, I am fairly sure it is by Ib-koford Larsen but I am not totally sure. It's the sideboard on the poster for 'Younger' 746 Fonseca in your retro sideboards page. I am trying to find out if it has any value! It has a younger tag on the back of the top drawer. many thanks." Josh "p.s. what a fantastic website!"
Hi Josh, The sideboard is manufactured by Younger. It is not G-Plan and won't be designed by Ib Kofod-Larsen. He designed for Gomme, i.e. G-Plan. It may have been by John Herbert who was Younger's design director in that period. Younger was more expensive than G-Plan, and was very high quality furniture, not quite in the Gordon Russell, or Archie Shine league.
As far as value is concerned, it all depends on condition. The best way to get an idea of value is to look on eBay completed listings for similar items. I'd guess around £200+ for a good Younger sideboard. Retrowow
"I have a coffee table which I inherited from my late parents, I am almost sure that it is G.Plan. but cannot find a stamp on it. All of their furniture was always G.Plan. It is a typical G .Plan style circular spider base and the glass fits into the teak base. Do you know if all G.Plan furniture was Stamped, or anyone that I can contact who would be able to advise me. Any knowledge of this would be most grateful." Anita Boutle
Hi Anita, G-Plan certainly did make glass teak glass topped tables as you described. All G-Plan furniture is marked. However, from the late sixties, red stickers, left, with G-Plan were used instead of the G-Plan stamp used on older G-Plan furniture. It may very well be G-Plan as the label might have come off over the years. However, tables in this style were made by other manufacturers in the late sixties and early seventies. Retrowow